The American Cancer Society has revealed that cancer has taken over heart disease as the number one cause of death in Americans under 85. This is because deaths from heart disease are reducing at a greater rate than deaths from cancer. Roughly one if four people die from cancer in America. In 2002, 476,009 Americans under 85 died from cancer compared to 450,637 from heart disease. It is estimated that 570,280 people will die from cancer in 2005. The greatest reduction in cancer deaths has been due to greatly reduced numbers of smokers but better screening and treatments have also helped. The American Cancer Society claims that a third of all cancer deaths are due to smoking and another third is due to obesity and poor diet. The best way to avoid dying from cancer is to have a healthy diet, exercise, don't smoke and have regular health checkups. The estimated numbers of deaths in 2005 from a variety of cancers are as follows: lung cancer - 163,510 deaths; colon cancer - 56,290 deaths, breast cancer - 40,870; prostate cancer - 30,350; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - 19,200 deaths; and melanoma - 7,770 deaths.
Source: summary of medical news story as reported by CBC News
About: Cancer deaths take over deaths caused by heart disease
Date: 20 January 2005
Source: CBC News
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